The Great Recession is revealing some fundamental challenges in our economy. One of those challenges revolves around the exceedingly expensive college degree and its ability to translate into employment. As a percent many more American’s have a bachelor’s degree today than say in 1992 yet unemployment for college educated Americans is at modern record highs. Another profound challenge facing American families is retirement savings (or lack thereof which is more likely the case). Retirement is largely becoming a luxury that only a handful of families can count on. As we look back at the last decade not all global stock markets were created equal and this is evident when we compare the US stock market to those abroad. Finally we will examine what areas are seeing major price increases all the while overall inflation appears to be muted to average Americans.